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The Osun State Government has hit back at the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), refuting claims that the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Law is merely a domesticated version of the federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
In a statement responding to resolutions from ASUU’s recent emergency meeting in Abuja, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Saturday emphasised that UNIOSUN operates strictly under its own Establishment Law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly.
“The University is governed by its enabling legislation and the statutory framework applicable to its organs, including the Visitor, the Governing Council, and other duly constituted authorities.
“Consequently, ASUU’s attempt to present the federal Act as controlling legislation for UNIOSUN is legally misconceived. UNIOSUN does not derive its existence, powers, or governance structure from federal law. This distinction is fundamental to any proper legal analysis of the university’s governance,” Alimi said.
Addressing what it termed misleading claims, the state government expressed surprise that ASUU omitted Osun from its list of states commended for implementing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Osun State implemented the FGN/ASUU agreement at UNIOSUN even before the Federal Government did, and has already begun paying arrears.
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“Governor Ademola Adeleke was the second governor to approve the new salary scale, after Ekiti State. Excluding Osun from ASUU’s commendations is mischievous and inexplicable given our unparalleled commitment to staff welfare,” Alimi stated.
The government also rejected assertions that its actions regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure constituted arbitrary executive interference.
“The matter followed due constitutional and legislative processes. Following the Visitor’s decision, the Osun State House of Assembly exercised its authority to amend the relevant provisions of the UNIOSUN Establishment Law. It is difficult to understand why ASUU, a trade union, seeks to substitute its own interpretation for that of constitutionally empowered government institutions,” Alimi said.
The Osun State Government urged ASUU’s leadership to double-check facts before issuing public statements, warning against rhetoric that could needlessly inflame tensions or suggest institutional instability.
“It is particularly important for an academic union to be guided by facts, evidence, and applicable law,” the statement added.
